LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
AWARD RECIPIENT 

Don Björnson is a lawyer with 40 years of experience presently serving as General Counsel andCorporate Secretary of Manitoba Hydro. Don leads Manitoba Hydro’s Legal Services, Ethics and Compliance Office, Privacy Office, Insurance Services and Property.

As a member of Manitoba Hydro’s Executive Leadership Team Don works alongside senior management to shape corporate strategy and objectives and to support their implementation,functioning as technical advisor, counsellor and guardian. The General Counsel role spans a wide range of matters as Manitoba Hydro adapts to new energy technologies, increased electrification, evolving stakeholder relationships and legislative and regulatory change. In his role as Corporate Secretary, Don advises the Manitoba Hydro Electric Board on matters of law and governance to ensure the integrity of Manitoba Hydro’s governance framework and support the board’soversight responsibilities.

Don joined Manitoba Hydro’s legal team in 2003, providing legal services related to cross-border power transactions, transmission and infrastructure projects, foundational long term power sale agreements and electricity market access in the United States and Canada for Manitoba Hydro’swholesale energy sale activities. Don was appointed General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in 2021.

Prior to joining Manitoba Hydro, Don was a partner in a Winnipeg law firm where he practicedfor 16 years.

Don was named to Legal 500's Canadian GC Powerlist in 2025 and in 2026. In 2024, Don was a finalist for the Canadian Bar Association RVA Jones Award. He is a member of the Canadian Lawyers Leaders Network in the Energy category. 

Don holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Laws, both from the University of Manitoba. 

Don is President of the Canada Iceland Foundation Inc. and Vice Chair of the Betel Heritage Foundation Inc. He has also served as member and chair of the board of Habitat for HumanityCanada and member and chair of the board of Habitat for Humanity Manitoba and volunteer counsel to the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium Inc.